The Portland daily press., 1887-02-25

To the Editor of the Press:
have confession to make | am men,
Der OF the Monument Association, becoming
such, years ago, from sense of duty to the
memory of deceased comrades, to aid in
erecting lasting memorial, suitable, but
not extravagant. 1t was hoped, that with
aid from the city, some $4,000 could be rails
ed for the purpose. More recently the mat
ter has assumed different phase, larger di-
menslons, and in a certain sense different
OBJECT has been connected with it. The city
IS now called upon to chip in" by way of
destruction and donation Of income-paying
property, the Old City Hall and lot. worth
anywhere from fifty TO seventy-five thousand
its necessities). The Association, to place
upon the site at some future indefinite time,
Such monument as q fen Individuals thin K
suitable, costing about $4,000, although it is
perfectly apparent that monument of di-
mensions and merit suitable to this location
as rather cool to ask our citizens to Ego it
Dlind,' in regard to the monument that Shall
be placed there, in matter involving SO
much taxation. We all should have The
privilege OF voting upon that in connection
with this site; otherwise, disappointment
and contention will arise and lead to a run
ming sore, that may not be healed in our gem
GRAFTON at least. Once placed there. the
monument must remain, whatever its charac-
Ter. suppose, for instance, such structure
as was once exhibited here in model-a sort
Of high walled back yard, yet quite salts
factory to many Of our association-should
De placed there, would there not; be howl
ings and filings and arrows? No matter what
artists perform or say, the true test of the
merit OF their work is the judgment of the
public at large | want to know what Pm
voting fsr-the entire proposition.
Again. 1t is not fair that bare majority
shall decide to lay such burden of taxation
as this Will impose for long years to come.
upon the property of those who cannot vote.
Non-residents pay. one-sixth of all the real
estate taxes; resident women, minors and
unnaturailzed aliens also pay large share
OF our taxes, and they cannot vote; It is safe
to say that one-sixth of all our taxable prop
erty cannot be represented at the polls on
this question.
:, 1t is not a question of political rule. where
.le majority IN number should control, but
one In which the interests of all Should be
consulted and conserved; in addition TO
tnese points, we have thousands of voters
VINO only pay land often don't paw poll tax
es those of us in this category naturally do
u ~ isei tne same reluctance in voting yes, as
II direct tax burden came in so doing The
burden comes indirectly, all the same. for
the higher our tax the more we repel capital
winch Portland so much needs to start in
dustrles of all kinds, give employment the
year round, and start her ahead In popula-
tion and wealth. Certainly a two-thirds
vote at least should be necessary to author
lze this remarkable and unnecessary project.
IL Is dangerous precedent to establish. The
site is not appropriate, boxed in by high
buildings and projecting street corners, in a
vortex OF traffic and travel, where it will be
Impossible to calmly sit, or even stand, to
study and contemplate A fine place, in
deed, for our wives and daughters to linger!
Shall vote NO! EX-SOLDIER.